Spotted Lake or Kilkuk as it is known in the Syilx language of the
Okanagan First Nations is located on Highway 3, nine kilometers west of Osoyoos,
B.C., on what is referred to as the Richter Pass. The pass was named after
Francis Xavier Richter, who worked for the Hudson Bay

Company at Keremeos and
later became a cattle rancher and orchardist in the area. Spotted Lake is a rare
natural phenomena containing the highest concentration of minerals in the world,
including magnesium sulphate, calcium and sodium sulphates, titanium, magnesium,
and silver. The lake covers an area of approximately 15 hectares or 38 acres and
contains 365 circles of various shapes, sizes and depths.

Kilkuk is sacred to the Okanagan First Nations. They have recognized the
healing and therapeutic qualities of this lake and have healed their wounds and
ailments there for thousands of years. They believe that each circle has
its own medicine and healing power. One of the local legends states
that a truce was declared during a battle to allow both warring tribes to tend
to their wounded at the lake. Sitting Bull, the famous Sioux Chief, was
also known tohave sent
runners hundreds of miles to gather the mud and salts of Kilkik to heal the
wounds of his people.
Minerals from the lake were mined or harvested during the First World War, by
Chinese laborers. The Chinese workers extracted up to a ton of salt per day off
of the surface of the lake. The salt was shipped to eastern Canada and used in
munitions factories. It is also rumored that several tons of mud from the lake
were shipped to Europe and used to treat soldiers wounded on the Western Front.

Prior to being mined or harvested during the First World War, the lake is said
to have been an artistic wonder containing every color imaginable with each circle
having its own distinct and unique color.

The healing qualities of Spotted Lake are recognized to this day. There are
scores of people who swear their ailments have subsided or disappeared
altogether simply by sitting in the pools. Although there is no scientific
evidence or case studies to support any theories, it is speculated that toxins
are removed and trace elements are replenished and restored through absorbsion of the incredible
concentration of mineralization contained in the
lake. Historical facts, traditional beliefs, combined with the modern testimony provided by
reliable competent individuals is very difficult to ignore.